Christmas is fast approaching and thousands of families have already registered for a holiday basket, being distributed from Dec. 18-24 at Sun Youth.

This holiday is cherished by children of all ages for it often means receiving gifts. For parents, it represents an opportunity to teach their children how to give as well as receive. At Sun Youth, it means some 5000 underprivileged Montreal families will count on the community’s generosity to brighten their holidays with enough food for them to prepare a holiday meal and new toys for their young ones.

The holiday period has its roots in many cultures and is celebrated in different ways. For Christians, this holiday marks the birth of Jesus Christ, who received the first Christmas gifts ever from the Three Wise Men (gold, frankincense and myrrh). For Jews, Chanukah, or the Festival of the Lights, is celebrated during eight days, starting on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, by lighting candles on the Chanukiah. It is meant to represent the victory of light over darkness. Before Christianity, the Romans celebrated the winter solstice on December 25; the Vikings celebrated Yule; and the Celts decorated pine trees to celebrate life.

The holiday season coincides with the winter solstice, when the days are at their darkest. At Sun Youth, this period is the pinnacle of our commitment to caring and sharing that started 60 years ago with the creation of our organization.